And if you prefer your engines to tone it down a bit, you can select from three mapping modes that change only the throttle response, using the D-Mode feature of the ECU. You may stick with the default Standard mode, opt for the A-mode and sharper throttle response, or the B-mode for 30% slower response. Pick your poison, for the street, track or rain, respectively, although I have had top pro racer tell me that they prefer a smoother power delivery (B mode) for quick laps and tire conservation over a full race distance.

This is a bike that deserves respect, especially coming out of second gear corners on the ICAR track, as it leaps from corner to corner without giving the rider much time to steady him or herself before having to brake hard again.

Chassis
An all new chassis features a 5mm shorter wheelbase and fine tuned rigidity balance (35% more flexible laterally), the swingarm (Now allowing more lateral and torsional flex), headstock and fork. The engine and C-of-G have been moved forward and the swingarm made longer, all in the interest of better front grip on corner entry and traction coming out. Add a slipper clutch to also make corner entry more effective and less exciting, and you have a modern chassis to sound like a close cousin to the Yamaha bikes that win on the track.

The adjustable hydraulics include a Soqi fork with damping circuits divided between each leg, while the 3-way adjustable rear shock features a hydraulic preload adjuster to ease set-up changes. Although the front brake discs are 10mm smaller in diameter (310mm) than last year, they proved to have excellent power and feel, thanks to the monobloc six-piston, radial-mount calipers, with new more rigid rotor carriers.

Ergos
Yamaha has worked at making the R1 more hospitable without giving up on a track- friendly riding position for those so inclined. The handlebars were moved back 10mm, the seat moved 8mm forward, and the footrests can be raised 15mm and moved back 3mm - to offer the best possible mix of comfort, and a more sporting position while tucked in behind the new race-inspired fairing.

The high-mounted exhaust system is one of the few visible throwbacks left on the bike. A low system, with better heat management and mass concentration, will wait for 2011, I guess. In the meantime, these high pipes look and work fine, thank you very much!